Circumstances that may indicate good cause for a continuance include the unavailability of an essential witness (CRC 3.1332 (c)(1)); the unavailability of a party because of death, illness, or other excusable circumstances (CRC 3.1332 (c)(2)); or a significant, unanticipated change in the status of the case as a result ...
Generally, you can turn in a form to ask for a new court date and the court will make a decision and mail it to you. If the court date is less than 10 days away, though, you'll need to explain on the form why you waited so long to ask.
Motions: 16 court days before hearing (+5 calendar days for mailing). If the mailing deadline (16+5 days) has passed, but there are still more than 16 court days before the hearing, you can have it served by personal delivery.
A “motion for a continuance” is a request asking the judge to make an order changing your hearing date. If the judge grants your motion, your court date will be postponed to a later time. For most requests for continuances, you must provide the judge with a suitable reason (“good cause”) for postponing your court date.
IF THE HEARING IS LESS THAN 45 DAYS FROM THE HEARING DATE, THE APPLICANT MAY REQUEST A CONTINUANCE FOR EXIGENT CIRCUMSTANCES BY FILING AN EX PARTE APPLICATION, OR BY APPEARING AT THE HEARING AND SO REQUESTING.